Al-Duwaid Mosque in the Northern Border Region, one of the mosques included in the second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques, is of historical importance due to its location in the village of Al-Duwaid, which was a meeting place for merchants from Najd and Iraq about 60 years ago. Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques will renovate the Al-Duwaid Mosque per the Najdi style in which it was built. The mosque, built on an area of 137.5 square meters, will have an area of 156.01 square meters after the renovation and a capacity to accommodate 54 worshipers after prayers were suspended in the previous years. The architectural feature of the Al-Duwaid Mosque, which was built 60 years ago, is characterized by the Najdi style, which uses clay construction techniques and the employment of natural materials and is known for its ability to withstand the local environment and the hot desert climate. The project will preserve these structural techniques such as small square openings, which form a strip line on the extension of the wall of the mosque, which allows a sufficient amount of the sun's heat and reduces the entry of cold air. The mosque's original architecture focused on making the openings on the southern side, increasing sunlight. The mosque is also distinguished by its low roof to preserve enough warmth in winter. The Al-Duwaid Mosque is one of 30 mosques that the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project will renovate in its second phase in all 13 regions of the Kingdom, including six mosques in Riyadh, five mosques in Makkah, four mosques in Madinah, three in Asir, two in each of the Eastern Region, Al-Jouf, and Jazan, and one mosque in each of the Northern Borders Region, Tabuk, Al-Baha, Najran, Hail, and Al-Qassim. The first phase of the project, completed earlier, included the renovation and restoration of 30 historical mosques in 10 regions. The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques serves four strategic objectives: restoration of historical mosques for worship and prayer, restoration of the urban authenticity of historical mosques, highlighting the cultural dimension of Saudi Arabia, and enhancing the religious and cultural status of historical mosques. The project contributes to highlighting the cultural and civilizational extent of the Kingdom as one of the pillars of the Saudi Vision 2030 by preserving authentic urban characteristics and utilizing them to contribute to the development of modern mosque designs.
